WGU Clinical Microbiology Final Exam| Questions and correct answers 2026

WGU Clinical Microbiology Final Exam| Questions and correct answers 2026 Bacteria Single-celled organism that do not have a cell nucleus and the membrane-enclosed intracellular structures found in most other cells (Prokaryotic cell). Gram-positive Bacteria Thick layer of peptidoglycan (20-80nm across). The peptidoglycan layer is closely attached to the outer surface of the cell membrane. Retains crystal violet stains. Lack an outer membrane and a periplasmic space. Gram-negative Bacteria Cell wall is thinner, but more complex. Only 10-20% peptidoglycan. Contains an outer membrane, leaving a very narrow periplasmic space.Does not retain crystal violet stain because of large quantities of lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides (endotoxin). Acid-fast Bacteria Cell wall is thick, but consists of 60% lipids. Lipids make acid-fast organisms impermeable to most other stains and protect them from acids and alkalis. Stain as gram-positive. Grow slowly because the lipids impeded entry of nutrients. Endotoxin Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Part of the outer membrane of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. It can cause fever and dilates blood vesselscausing BP to drop. Bacteria typically release this when they are dying, so killing them increases the concentration of this toxic substance.Antibiotics given late in the infection can cause worsening of symptoms or even death. Wall-deficient Bacteria Protected by a strengthened cell membrane that contains sterols. Example: mycobacterium paratuberculosis with Crohn's disease- a chronic disorder of the intestine. Coccus Sphere shaped bacteria Coccobacillus Short rod shaped bacteria (between cocci and bacilli) Vibrio Comma shaped bacteria